hard drive errors - Scandisk

[ZeBozette]

When ScanDisk reports 16,384 bytes in bad sectors is it safe to trust the hard drive? Everything appears to work perfectly so I'd like to leave well enough alone. I seem to remember the bad sectors can be marked so data isn't written to them. Am I asking for trouble if I backup my data daily and keep using this hard drive?
Thanks

 

[pmonett]

Nothing is perfect in this world, and hard disks are no exception.
By my experience, having a few bad clusters is not reason for concern, in itself. Bad clusters are indeed automatically flagged by Scandisk and will no longer be used for data storage, so there is no issue on that side. However, you should be attentive to whether or not this figure increases.
If, in like, two months, you find yourself with more bad clusters, then it is a sign that you might wish to contact the supplier and ask him for a replacement.
16Kb of bad disk space does not bother me. 1Kb of additional bad disk space every month/week/day is the sign that the disk is on its way to that great ecological dump in the sky.
And, when it does start going, the speed at which new bad clusters are found will increase.
So, as long as you stay at 16Kb, I wouldn't worry. If you do notice an increase, I would start charting it (date and total amount).
Your disk can work for years like it is, so do not fret yet.

Pascal.

 

[mainegeek]

zebozette,
Bad sectors may be from bad format markings or physical damage. Either way, you would be better off to save your data and replace your drive now. Formatting may re-cover these bad sectors and it may not. If you encounter problems where you needed to re-install the OS, then these bad sectors would prevent the installation unless they were recoverable. Some drive overlays are detected as bad sectors as well. I guess your actions will depend on how important the data is to you though.....